Institution

Current Position

Highest Degree

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Coping with Stressful Life Events – A major focus of my research is to identify factors associated with adjustment to stressful or traumatic life events. Some of this work has focused on specific events (e.g., sexual assault, bereavement, combat, terrorism, chronic medical conditions, relationship breakups) and some has focused on traumatic events more generally. Recent and ongoing projects examine predictors of the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including pre-trauma characteristics of the individual, characteristics of the event, and posttrauma factors. One of the factors in which I am interested is individuals' perceptions of the amount of control they have over a traumatic event. Over the past few years, my students and I have conducted several studies designed to develop and validate a measure of past, present, and future control over stressful or traumatic life events. I also am particularly interested in the effects of various forms of interpersonal trauma (e.g., divorce, betrayal).

Posttraumatic Growth – To more fully understand the impact of traumatic events, including their potentially positive as well as negative effects, my earlier research examined the prevalence, course, and predictors of posttraumatic growth (i.e., perceptions of positive life changes following traumatic events, such as greater appreciation of life). More recently, my research has examined the validity of self-reports of posttraumatic growth by examining how self-reports of growth correspond to actual change from pre- to posttrauma and how growth may be manifest in actual prosocial behaviors following trauma.

Developing Innovative Interventions for Trauma Survivors - In one project, funded by a 5-year grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, my colleagues and I are testing the effectiveness of two-video based interventions for sexual assault survivors seen in the emergency room at a county hospital in Minneapolis. We are assessing whether these interventions can facilitate postassault adjustment. In another multi-year study funded by the Department of Defense and the Veteran's Administration, my colleagues and I are testing the effectiveness of an internet-based writing intervention for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We are assessing whether writing about traumatic events can facilitate readjustment to civilian life. Finally, with grants from the University of Minnesota, my colleagues and I are conducting a qualitative study of Somali refugees in the Twin Cities to identify beliefs about, and barriers to using, Western mental health care. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop culturally-appropriate interventions for this group.

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